Grapplers Ready for EIWA Championships

Franklin & Marshall's wrestlers are set for the 2011 Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Championships at Bucknell. The 107th EIWA Championship will be wrestled at Bucknell's Sojka Pavilion on Saturday and Sunday.

The Diplomats will head to Lewisburg in search of F&M's first placewinner in three years. F&M has produced 93 EIWA placewinners including eight champions. Vic Bernardino's gold medal effort at 158 pounds in 1994 was the last first place finish for the Diplomats, while Justin Herbert's sixth place finish in 2008 was the last time a F&M wrestler took to the stand.

Captains Jake Bucha (133 lbs., 28-4) and Matt Fullowan (174 lbs., 23-11) lead the Diplomats into action this weekend. Bucha has been solid all season and piled up pins down the stretch of the season. He ended the title hopes of Penn's Bryan Ortenzio at last year's EIWA Championships. After a slow start to the season, Matt Fullowan has come on strong. He owns wins in 10 of his last 11 bouts, including a closing-seconds win against Rider's Rob Morrison, then ranked 24th.

Colin Ely takes a 19-4 record to Bucknell this weekend. The 197-pound junior battled injuries in the second half of the season, causing him to miss some time on the mat.

F&M has wrestled well in tournaments under first-year W. Roy Phillips Wrestling Coach, Mike Rogers. The Diplomats have placed five wrestlers a dozen times through four tournaments this season. Bucha won the Navy Classic and Messiah Open, while placing second at the Wilkes Open. Fullowan took second place at the Wilkes Open, Shorty Hitchcock Invitational and Mat Town Open, while Ely finished second at the Shorty Hitchcock and third at Wilkes.

fans unable to make it to Lewisburg will have the opportunity to watch live online via Bison Vision (www.BucknellBison.com). The entire event, except Sunday's championship bouts, will be available free of charge.